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 POB - Romeo and Juliet : A star is born
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| Author | Topic: POB - Romeo and Juliet : A star is born |
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Cathy Moderator |
posted July 12, 2001 04:47
  
This evening was the Debut as Romeo of the sujet Christophe Duquenne, unhappy at the last internal competition of promotion, where they preferred insipid Karl Paquette to him, it showed in the role of the roles, Romeo, which were really its gifts. It was not a sujet which danced, and many people of the public asked which was this étoile ? Indeed this evening is born an étoile on the scene from Bastille and it has as a name Christophe Duquenne. It has youth and the ardour of the role and the style are impeccable that it is in the entrance variation where all the steps are engraved or in the pdd. Its dance is fast and light. If its style evokes the perfection of Manuel Legris, it has some in more one body line and ideal body proportions. It adds its personal note for the play, being in turn very insane kid with Rosaline, becoming gradually more and more in love with her Juliette. Its youthful smiles are cracking as much as its despair on the road of Mantoue or the scene of his death is upsetting, tears which he pours when in particular he discovers Juliette died. With the desarroi expressed in his glance at Mercutio's death answer that which he shows at first when he kills Tybalt and especially when he is bannished and must leave Juliet which it likes. With precision of technique (perfect arabesques, slowed down pirouettes, shoulders in particular at the scene of the balcony where all the steps were there...), it adds an impeccable musical quality. In spite of a very small error on a reception, during the variation of the letter, at beginning of second act, it danced as well very few of etoiles do it or did it, and like said an other sujet, well few dancers of the Opera would be able to make it, only Benjamin Pech and Yann Bridard finding thanks to its eyes. Christophe Duquenne is in more one exceptional partner for Elisabeth Maurin who finds another fire in her interpretation in particular when it throws the anathema on all Montaigus and Capulets, after the death of Tybalt. Let us hope that Christophe will not await any more his place of "Premier danseur" whom it deserved so much, and whom he finally will obtain it at the next internal competition, thus repairing the injustice of which it was victim. Elisabeth Maurin was attentive with her young partner but was also instigated and its interpretation differed from that which it had with Legris. At its sides Jérémie Bélingard made its beginnings in Mercutio. It was impeccable, technically perfect, with him also a play quite personal and sober, in particular in the scene where it fights with Tybalt, when it makes pretence have died, it remains a long inanimate moment before showing that it was only one joke. Moreover it especially made a new character compared to Delanoé, old creature of habit of the role and which does not bring anything any more to this character. Kader Belarbi camped more youthful Tybalt in front of the ardour and the spirit of his Romeo. Its combat was of any wonder. Indeed, of the strike notices were deposited by the dancers for the representations of the 13 and 16, concerning the retirement age which should be fixed arbitrarily at 40 years for everyone. If you want to discover the immense qualities of Christophe Duquenne as a Romeo, it does not remain you that the free matinee of July 14, without the strike you will be able to see him it last once in Benvolio on July 13. But don't forget this name of Christophe Duquenne ! IP: Logged |
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Stuart Sweeney Administrator |
posted July 12, 2001 12:55
I'm sure I speak for all the Anglophones here when I say thank you very much Cathy for taking the trouble to translate your review that brings this exciting dancer to our attention. IP: Logged |
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Basheva Moderator |
posted July 12, 2001 13:09
And as an Ameri-Anglophone - I thank you too, Cathy. Very much. IP: Logged |
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Terry Member |
posted July 12, 2001 13:17
Cathy, it's always wonderful to hear reviews of POB. I've always liked Duquenne too. One of the principal roles that we actually got to see him perform (when some POB dancers toured Japan) was "Grand Pas Classique," even though this was just a pdd. I hope the POB administration will continue to offer him better roles. IP: Logged |
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Kevin Ng Member |
posted July 14, 2001 05:42
Cathy, how old approximately is Duquenne, do you know? Is he in his early 20s? I've only seen him once last Dec. in the POB's Emeralds. IP: Logged |
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Cathy Moderator |
posted July 15, 2001 05:08
Even Duquenne is 29 years old, it's the first time that POB direction give to him his true luck. They never cast sujet on the role of the roles, which is Romeo, since Legris and Hilaire, even Le Riche was premier danseur when he danced this role. And it was really important they dare to cast a sujet in Romeo's role. He was wonderful as Romeo and could hope to be a premier danseur now. If under Nureyev, every dancer has each luck very young, it's not the case at POB. They seem to wait year experience to give to some dancer their true luck. Yesterday afternoon for the free performance of Romeo, it was Bastille Day, Duquenne was better again than wednesday, he looks on Legris style but with acting well and more young. It seems to have age of the role. Audience makes to the cast a standing ovation and we heard dancer on stage applause long time Duquenne who was really amazing in this role. I hope now he will have all the role he could hope to have. [This message has been edited by Cathy (edited July 15, 2001).] IP: Logged |
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